Took the advice of some of the poster on the site. Found a scamp online and acted on it rightaway. This meant driving from NY to Des Moines and back the next day (total 33 hrs behind wheel in two days) OUCH! But it was well worth it. Picked up a great little scamp from a gentleman that that was working on it as a project. His direction changed and he justed wanted to get rid of it to someone who would finish the project. Scamp completely gutted, but he started to build up permanent bed framing in back. Also purchased a lot of new hardware from scamp to redo caps and rusted backets on outside. Very excited to get started working on this with my youngest son (Junior in high school). Hope is to get it ready by summer (just fixed up enough to sleep in, tent on wheels) for a first short trip. Then his senior year, do a road trip down to New Orleans. Hope to pick the brains and research the forums on this site for advice. Steps in the project listed below:
1. Get electrical trailer wire working. Uugh. Wiring is a pain, everything looks there but somewhere somethings not grounded or is shorting. Will get out test light and try and figure it out but in the end will probably have to take to local RV guy. (wiring really fishes around the thing. Is it usually this hard to follow the wires in a scamp? Do not want to pull at any of the fiberglass).
2. Reconfigure 110 V shorline wiring systems. Where outlets are going to be and getting wires to them, (much wiring left in the scamp but will have to reconnect). Plan on changing over to LED's to lower usage. Will want to set up solar option. Luckily have a friend who is big time in this area. He said no need to redo wiring, in most cases now led bulbs can be purchased to replace traditional bulbs and they srew into the old bulb socket.
3. Work on bedding set up. Will keep permenant bed in back. Try to build dinette setup front that converts to single bed for my son.
4. Then the real work begins - Configuring cabinets, fidge, sink and water supply. Will avoid putting in stove or furnace (lots of work and space for the little use it would get).
Anyways, I'll stop rambling on. Very excited. I'll keep forum informed and post my pics and questions. Look forward to your responses.
O yeah, Sounds like stopping into a gathering for ideas would be good choice. Know of any near Buffalo, NY?
I can't believe you got that trailer, it only lasted hours after it was posted.
What did you have to do to get it road worthy for the trip back for IA to NY?
Can't wait to see your pics as you progress with the restore and make it your own.
There is a gathering in upstate NY in September that you should head over to. Check on the Event Calendar in September and the upcoming gatherings forum for the details.
Welcome, glad to have you in the clubhouse!
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Only road issues were the lights. Uugh! Must be a short somewhere. Brake and turn signals working, but one of the runnng lights not on. Now that it is home, I am noticing some other isue with trailer wiring. Tough part is it is hard to follow wires in the scamp, they go behind carpeting and fiberglass. Been playing around with it, It is probably a bad ground. This is something I might have to take into local rv to fix (trailer wiring stinks). Other than that previous owner was great. I could tell he had already put a lot into the scamp. New tires and many parts. Long but safe ride back. Saw one of the posts here about the importance of towing at a reasonable speed (kept speed at ~ 55 - 58 mph). Already took some pics but camera is to many megapixels to upload. Will use older camera and post when I can. Thanks for the warm welcome. I will look into the sept gathering.
Dan
DGoodwin
Congratulations! I also have a Scamp 16 home and in the front yard, only it isn't mine. Some friends got a great deal on a 2010 Scamp 16 (layout 4) from Ontario, Canada - the exchange rate helped a lot on the price. They didn't have their tow set up yet, so I picked it up & stashed it here. In June we are all heading to Alaska.
My Daily Travel Blog
My Photo & RV Website
NOTE: this information by me has been moved to (Travel Section of SOI Bulletin board)
Garylee
Garylee
And now the fun begins,
I drove 25 hours round trip lady May to pick up my 1996 13'. Took a sleeping bag and tiny cooler. Stayed in a cheap motel on the way up and in a KOA in my new baby on the way home. Picked up a rotisserie chicken and some fresh fruit at the local Walmart for my first meal it was a great trip!
Have fun with your son on this project. I worked on mine all winter with my dad and it was fantastic!! I'm not sure who is more excited about the finished product. Him or me ;)
Deb Staines
2016 16’, layout 4
'Rapscallion'
Based on your comment it sounds like you are a little bit intimidated by the Electric Wiring in your Scamp. Don't be, 12 Volt Wiring is usually very simple, you have a plus (+) and a minus (-) wire, The Minus (-) wire always gets grounded to the frame or (-) post on the battery some how.
Also, you need more than just a test light, you need a volt meter which can test both AC and DC (usually these meters have the ability to test Ohms [resistance] as well), these meters are not very expensive and they are invaluable in tracking down wiring issues.
Here is one similar to the one I use from Amazon:
Etekcity Mini Portable Digital Multimeter (DMM) Multi Tester Voltmeter Ammeter Ohmmeter - AC / DC Voltage, DC Current, Resistance, Continuity, Diodes Tester with Backlit LCD
In your Scamp you have three different wiring systems (okay, this sounds like it is going to get complicated, but it's not too bad), the first system is the trailering lights which are powered by the Tow Vehicle. Starting with the 7 prong plug attaching to the TV you have seven wires:
Pin 1 is a Ground wire between the TV and the Trailer, Pin 2 is for the Electric brakes on the trailer, Pin 3 is for the tail lights and side marker/running lights on your trailer, Pin 4 is a 12v wire which charges your Trailer battery while you are driving down the road (this wire also supplies 12v power for your fridge if you have a 12v fridge), Pins 5 and 6 are for your right and left turn and stop lights. Pin 7 is for the backup lights if your trailer has them.
Your problem with the running lights could be with the plug receptacle on your Tow Vehicle and not a problem in your Scamp, check for power on pin 3 coming from the TV with your lights on, if you have power on pin 3 then plug in your Scamp and check for 12 volts at each of the running lights, be sure to ground your test meter to the frame during this test. If you have 12 volts at the running light(s) then your ground wire has a break in it, or the grounding point on the frame is corroded or loose. If you don't have 12 volts then check the 7-pin connector to verify that pin 3 is actually connected and that colored wire goes to the first running light.
This should get you well on the way to fixing/troubleshooting your running lights.
By-the-way, the trailer lighting wires are usually run underneath the trailer.
The other two systems are the 12v "Coach" power (power for all items within the trailer), the Coach system includes the battery and the "Shore" 120v power system. There is also a "Converter" which is powered by the 120v system that charges the battery while you are plugged into "Shore" power.
Congratulations on your New Scamp !
Happy Scamping !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Just finished installing a new inverter and switch panel in our 2004 16'
Thanks for the words of encouragment. Do have a test meter that I have never used but will give a try. Western NY weather not cooperating at the moment. Will take some pics and will have to gigure out the attached inverter. I have worked on wiring before with my utility and boat trailers and hated every minute of it. At least with those I could follow the wires. Everytime there was a problem it was a grounding issue. Will check pins and make sure things are ok. Keep you posted and pics soon. Thanks
DGoodwin